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The Electric Playground

companyactive29 mentionsFirst seen May 29, 2023Last seen Apr 7, 2026

Profile

The Electric Playground is a boutique pinball topper and arcade accessory manufacturer founded in 2022 and based in St. Louis, Missouri. They specialize in laser-cut acrylic and 3D-printed custom toppers with Arduino-based control systems, producing both standard designs (King Kong, Star Wars, Attack from Mars) and bespoke interactive pieces. The company has expanded significantly, moving to a 3x larger facility, won Best Mod of Show at Pinball Expo 2025, and operates as both a manufacturer and venue/employer while maintaining a strong presence as a podcast sponsor across multiple pinball media platforms.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withGodzillaRob Rath and Alec founded The Electric Playground partly inspired by Godzilla and built custom toppers for the gamemedium
  • affiliated_withJawsRob Rath of The Electric Playground designed custom topper concept for Jaws (digital design phase)medium
  • producesTwilight ZoneThe Electric Playground produced the official topper for Twilight Zone, launched at TPF 2023medium
  • producesPulp FictionThe Electric Playground produces optional topper for Pulp Fictionmedium
  • affiliated_withExpo

Facts

  • achievementCreator of the Duel Deck producthighfrom 2025-12-04
  • achievementFounded in 2022highfrom 2022
  • achievementWon Best Mod of Show at Expohighfrom 2024-10-09
  • affiliationEmploys Nick Neitzelhighfrom 2025
  • affiliationOperates teppinball.com retail websitehighfrom 2024
  • attributeProduces laser-cut acrylic and 3D-printed custom toppershighfrom 2022

Claims (17)

  • factualmedium

    The Electric Playground now owns approximately 50% of American Pinball

    Source: DonHow I would fix the Pokemon orbit
  • factualhigh

    TEP is expanding to 4,000 square feet and doubling production lines from one to two

    Source: Kineticist reportingTEP's Rob Rath and Nick Neitzel Join American Pinball's Growing Team
  • opinionhigh

    The Electric Playground is becoming the de facto standard for high quality third-party topper options

    Source: Retro RalphI Can't Believe How Good This Star Wars Pinball Looks Now!
  • factualhigh

    The Electric Playground topper integrates lighting effects with bumper hits, extra ball awards, and Hyperspace Loop shots

Recent Mentions (29)

  • Custom pinball topper manufacturer founded by Rob Rath; team members Rob Rath and Nick Neitzel have joined American Pinball

    Update on American Pinball; Yukon Yeti at Pintastic New England; Tons of Stern Games at or Approaching 1.0Apr 7, 2026
  • Custom topper company with vendor booth at Pinball Expo 2025

    Pinball Expo 2025: A Year of Mystery and MagicOct 26, 2025
  • Topper retailer (teppinball.com), podcast sponsor

    EP19 Michael ThomassonMar 17, 2026
  • Pinball arcade/location; co-founded by Rob Rath; expanding to 4,000 sq ft and doubling production lines

    Help WantedMar 13, 2026
  • Recently acquired approximately 50% of American Pinball's operations; noted as surprising industry development

    How I would fix the Pokemon orbitMar 13, 2026
  • Custom topper and aftermarket manufacturer in St. Louis, Missouri; expanding to 4,000 sq ft with doubled production lines; becoming key vendor for AP while maintaining independent operations

    TEP's Rob Rath and Nick Neitzel Join American Pinball's Growing Team

Contradictions

  • Existing: Founded 2022 per mention 0vsConflicting: Mention 16 dated 2024-10-09 describes Attack from Mars topper as 'recently' created with recent facility expansion, suggesting ongoing operations since 2022
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Founded 2022 (mention 0)vsConflicting: Ep 148 dated 2024-10-09 referring to Attack From Mars topper as recent product launch, but Hyper Polling (2025-10-24) also shows Attack from Mars topper as established product
    Unresolved
  • Existing: Nick Neitzel employed by The Electric Playground as arcade/pinball venue employeevsConflicting: Mention 13 references 'Nick Nitel' (different spelling) in what appears to be a name variation or transcription error
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

The Electric Playground team hosted tournament and debuted Attack from Mars topper at the Expo
medium
  • affiliated_withThe Big LebowskiCreated custom toppers for The Big Lebowski pinball machinesmedium
  • affiliated_withBig LebowskiCreated limited edition topper (100 units) for the game that sold out in 2-3 daysmedium
  • affiliated_withDirty Pool PodcastFeatured sponsor across multiple episodes; Rob Rath appeared as guest in Ep14medium
  • affiliated_withRob RathOwner/founder and public representative of The Electric Playgroundmedium
  • affiliated_withStern Pinball Inc.Produces aftermarket toppers as third-party alternatives to official Stern products (King Kong)medium
  • foundedRobCo-founder and co-owner; handles business operations and manufacturingmedium
  • affiliated_withAliceOfficial Electric Playground expansion topper was launched for Alice with custom LCD featuresmedium
  • affiliated_withPinball ExpoDonated topper prizes for contests; won Best Mod of Show award; attended Stern media eventmedium
  • affiliated_withNickTeam member continuing development of company's control systemmedium
  • attribute
    Manufactures King Kong pinball topper
    high
    from 2025-08-26
  • attributeManufactures Attack from Mars pinball topperhighfrom 2024-10-09
  • attributeManufactures Star Wars pinball topper with interactive lightsabershighfrom 2025-12-10
  • attributeUses Arduino-based control systems in toppershighfrom 2022
  • locationBased in St. Louis, Missourihighfrom 2022
  • roleRob Rath is associated with company leadershiphighfrom 2025-07-29
  • statusExpanded to 3x larger facilitymediumfrom 2024-10-09
  • statusBoutique topper manufacturerhighfrom 2022
  • Source: Retro RalphI Can't Believe How Good This Star Wars Pinball Looks Now!
  • factualmedium

    The Dual Deck topper will support at least 9 games beyond Star Wars: Fall of the Empire

    Source: Retro RalphI Can't Believe How Good This Star Wars Pinball Looks Now!
  • factualhigh

    The Electric Playground has previously manufactured toppers for Godzilla, Kong, and Pulp Fiction

    Source: Retro RalphI Can't Believe How Good This Star Wars Pinball Looks Now!
  • opinionhigh

    The topper provides good value and complements Star Wars: Fall of the Empire's aesthetic well

    Source: Retro RalphI Can't Believe How Good This Star Wars Pinball Looks Now!
  • factualhigh

    The Duel Deck topper is compatible with 9+ Star Wars-themed pinball machines

    Source: Official product announcementThe Electric Playground Reveals Next Pinball Topper
  • factualhigh

    The topper features two 1:3 scale CNC-machined aluminum sword hilts

    Source: Official press releaseThe Electric Playground Reveals Next Pinball Topper
  • factualhigh

    Installation requires no wire cutting or soldering

    Source: Official product detailsThe Electric Playground Reveals Next Pinball Topper
  • factualhigh

    The product includes a 1-year warranty

    Source: Official specificationsThe Electric Playground Reveals Next Pinball Topper
  • factualhigh

    Blade color customization includes Blue, Green, and Red options

    Source: Official product announcementThe Electric Playground Reveals Next Pinball Topper
  • factualhigh

    The Electric Playground shipped final 10 units of first Twilight Zone Topper batch

    Source: Official video announcementThe Electric Playground Teases New Godzilla Topper; Announces Second Twilight Zone Topper Run
  • factualhigh

    Godzilla Topper Player Edition will be priced under $900

    Source: Official announcementThe Electric Playground Teases New Godzilla Topper; Announces Second Twilight Zone Topper Run
  • factualhigh

    Godzilla Topper installation requires no wire cutting or soldering and takes 30-45 minutes

    Source: Official feature specificationsThe Electric Playground Teases New Godzilla Topper; Announces Second Twilight Zone Topper Run
  • factualhigh

    Second Twilight Zone Topper batch will be available June 6th for waitlist customers

    Source: Official announcementThe Electric Playground Teases New Godzilla Topper; Announces Second Twilight Zone Topper Run
  • factualhigh

    Godzilla Topper features 100+ LEDs and interactive lights connected to playfield monitor inserts

    Source: Official feature listThe Electric Playground Teases New Godzilla Topper; Announces Second Twilight Zone Topper Run
  • Mar 12, 2026
  • Custom topper manufacturer; makes Godzilla and Twilight Zone toppers; featured at Quarter Up Arcade

    DPP #67 "There's a problem at the Punny Factory!"Sep 8, 2023
  • Aftermarket acrylic topper manufacturer; launching bi-weekly Twitch show 'In Before the Lock' with Davey Stumbler at 5pm ET

    DPP #80 "Rumor round up!"Nov 6, 2023
  • Custom pinball topper and accessory manufacturer, known for high-quality interactive toppers, will display at Pinball Expo 2024

    The BEST Pinball Upgrade money can buy?!Oct 4, 2024
  • Pinball topper manufacturer creating modular toppers including TZ and Godzilla designs

    Meet the Makers! Live Stream Coming Soon!Jun 23, 2023
  • New pinball topper aftermarket manufacturer

    The Electric Playground Teases New Godzilla Topper; Announces Second Twilight Zone Topper RunMay 29, 2023
  • Podcast sponsor offering pinball toppers (teppinball.com)

    EP10 Sterling & WillDec 15, 2025
  • Topper manufacturer creating interactive LED toppers for pinball machines; recently expanded to 3x larger facility; won Best Mod of Show at Expo

    Ep 148: Attack From Mars Topper from The Electric Playground!Oct 9, 2024
  • Donated topper prize for homebrew topper contest at Expo

    DPP #207 "Star War landed. Expo almost here!"Oct 1, 2025
  • Aftermarket topper manufacturer producing high-quality third-party toppers for pinball machines

    I Can't Believe How Good This Star Wars Pinball Looks Now!Jan 10, 2026
  • Aftermarket topper manufacturer; recently entered King Kong topper market; employs Nick Nitel

    Is this King Kong Pinball Topper worth the $800 price tag?Aug 26, 2025
  • Arcade/pinball venue that employs Nick Neitzel after discovering him at Expo events

    Homebrew Showcase: Tony Hawk Pro Skater Pinball by Nick NeitzelNov 7, 2025
  • Manufacturer of the Attack from Mars topper used to top the modified cabinet

    You've NEVER Seen A Revenge From Mars Pinball Machine Like This!Oct 23, 2025
  • Aftermarket topper manufacturer; offers King Kong topper alternative to Stern's official product at lower price

    Pinball Expo 2025 - Which Pinball Manufacturer Was King!?Oct 18, 2025
  • Rob's production/venue company that attended Stern media event and produced detailed video review

    Star Wars: Fall of the Empire Pinball: Detailed Review + Pro/Prem/LE ReactionsSep 12, 2025
  • Source of Attack from Mars topper with Brad Albbright artwork used on modified machine

    Hyper PollingOct 24, 2025
  • Aftermarket pinball topper and accessory manufacturer; creator of the Duel Deck product

    The Electric Playground Reveals Next Pinball TopperDec 4, 2025
  • Topper manufacturer; Don pre-ordered $799 Star Wars topper with interactive lightsabers; makes toppers for old games

    DPP #220 "This Old (pinball) House!"Dec 10, 2025
  • Donated King Kong topper for Expo contest

    DPP #209 "24hrs with Star Wars...how is it?"Oct 9, 2025
  • Podcast sponsor offering pinball toppers at teppinball.com

    EP12 Robert TerryJan 12, 2026
  • Topper/arcade accessory retailer; podcast sponsor at teppinball.com.

    EP13 Cary HardyJan 19, 2026
  • Podcast sponsor; sells toppers at teppinball.com

    EP17 Brian CosnerFeb 16, 2026
  • Podcast sponsor for game room equipment

    EP15 Retro RalphFeb 3, 2026
  • Boutique topper manufacturer founded 2022, based in St. Louis, Missouri, produces laser-cut acrylic and 3D-printed custom toppers with Arduino-based control systems

    Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep14 - Custom Toppers With Rob Rath of The Electric PlaygroundJul 29, 2025
  • Existing: Nick Neitzel employed at The Electric Playground arcade/pinball venue after being discovered at Expo events (mention 12)
    vs
    Conflicting: Nick Nitel (different spelling) employed at The Electric Playground (mention 13)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026